Moor Fiend MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Horror
Abilities	Swampwalk
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	153
Frame	1993
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Anson Maddocks

Key Takeaways

Moor Fiend offers both hand disruption and a creature card, aiding in maintaining card superiority.
The card’s instant speed allows for tactical plays and offers a significant battlefield edge.
Resource acceleration is possible by transforming graveyard creature cards into active threats.

Text of card

Swampwalk

"Let them close the gates of Krov from dusk until dawn if they so choose. It matters not. My fiends shall yet rend their flesh from their bones." —Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Moor Fiend provides players with the ability to disrupt the opponent’s hand while also potentially granting the controller a creature card from the top of their library, thereby contributing to card advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: By allowing the graveyard to be a source of card utility, this card can enable resource acceleration by converting discarded creature cards into active threats on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: With its instant speed interaction, Moor Fiend gives players the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions, a critical aspect that can swing the game in the controlling player’s favor by offering the element of surprise and strategic depth.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Moor Fiend demands that you discard another card as part of its casting cost. In situations where your hand is already depleted, this requirement can be detrimental, forcing you to lose potentially valuable resources that could be needed for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Moor Fiend’s casting cost necessitates both black and red mana, which means it is inherently less flexible when it comes to deck inclusion. Decks not running these specific colors or those with a more restrictive mana base may find it challenging to integrate Moor Fiend seamlessly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost that includes two specific types of mana plus an additional generic mana sum, Moor Fiend’s overall mana investment might be too steep for the benefits it provides. In the current landscape of the game, where efficiency is key, there are alternative creatures or spells that could offer more impactful effects or stats for the equivalent, or even a lower, mana cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Moor Fiend offers adaptability to various deck builds, acting as a flexible component that can fulfill different roles on the battlefield due to its creature type and abilities.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergies can easily be harnessed, enabling impactful combinations with other cards that feed off its creature type or the abilities it possesses, potentially unlocking new levels of play.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the shifting sands of the MTG play environment, Moor Fiend’s relevance can rise, particularly if its attributes counter popular strategies or complement prevailing deck archetypes.

How to beat

The challenge when facing Moor Fiend in Magic: The Gathering lies in its insidious ability to wreak havoc on an opponent’s strategy. This formidable card combines aggressive power with a menacing presence on the board, creating a difficult scenario for many players. To outmaneuver Moor Fiend, one must concentrate on its vulnerabilities and implement an effective counter-strategy early in the game.

Control decks that pack a generous amount of removal spells can effectively manage Moor Fiend by ensuring it doesn’t have an opportunity to establish control. Efficient removal, especially those that don’t target, circumvent its abilities and dispatch it regardless of any potential hexproof or protection it might be granted. Board wipes can also reset the playing field, nullifying the advantage that a player might have with Moor Fiend on their side.

Moreover, competing with Moor Fiend’s pace is crucial. Fast-paced decks with efficient creatures and spells can apply pressure, forcing a player relying on Moor Fiend to react rather than be proactive. Outspeeding and outresourceing an opponent who is trying to make Moor Fiend a centerpiece of their game plan requires thoughtful sequencing and resource management to achieve victory.

Cards like Moor Fiend

Moor Fiend stands out in the landscape of creature cards in MTG. When placed side by side with cards like Gloom Sower, there are distinct differences to consider. Both cards share the horror creature type yet Moor Fiend, unlike Gloom Sower, doesn’t leverage the mechanic of causing life loss upon its specific actions in the game. Gloom Sower’s ability can impact the game’s dynamics by affecting the opponent’s life total, while Moor Fiend may offer more straightforward combat prowess.

Diving deeper into comparisons, there’s Abyssal Specter which, like Moor Fiend, can apply pressure on the opponent by its mere presence. However, it also has the added advantage of causing the opponent to discard a card whenever it deals damage, which feeds into a strategy of hand disruption. Moor Fiend’s strength doesn’t align with this particular game plan but is made up in its potential physical dominance on the battlefield.

Ultimately, Moor Fiend distinguishes itself as a robust contender among its peers. By delivering solid creature performance without complex triggers or conditions, it finds its place in a deck builder’s arsenal who values simplicity and direct combat strength in their MTG gameplay.

Cards similar to Moor Fiend by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Gixian Puppeteer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Moor Fiend MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Moor Fiend and other MTG cards: